Flipkart

Friday 29 July 2016

In conversation with D. L. Orton


About the book:

When offered a one-way trip to the past, Iz sacrifices everything for a chance to change her dystopian future—and see her murdered lover one last time. 
• Race against the clock through a dystopian nightmare. 
• Climb naked into an untested time machine (carrying a seashell and a promise). 
• Wake up twenty years younger, buck naked and mortally wounded, with your heart in your throat. 
Across the infinite expanse of space and time, love endures. (Unfortunately, it’s not going to be enough.)


Author Interview


1. What inspired you to write the book?
I met (and fell in love with!) the man I'm married to when we were 28, and one of the first trips we took together was to attend the wedding of his best buddy from college. At the reception, I ended up seated next to my husband's ex-girlfriend(!), and the two of us hit it off! We started comparing notes on him (to his obvious horror), and at the end of the evening, she said something that stuck with me: I wish I would have met him at a different point in my life.

It was a very poignant moment for me: How would my life be different if she had held on to him? And if I had met him first, would I have let him go and been the one to leave the wedding that night alone, wishing things had turned out differently?

I don't know the answers to those questions, but the possibilities began to fill my head, and a book was born.

2. When did you realise that you wanted to write a book?
I grew up reading Asimov, Heinlein, Le Guin, Clarke, and the rest of the sci-fi greats. I loved their world building, and the glimpse they gave me of possible futures, both good and bad. But what I love most are the characters. I can never remember book titles, and a few years down the road I struggle to remember all the plot twists, but the good characters stick with you. They change you, became a part of you. I aspire to that with my writing.


3. Who helped you in writing the book and what are their contributions?

Every person I’ve spent time getting to know changed me in some way. Their life spilled over into mine, and that made my life richer. All of those people are in my books.
As part of publishing journey, I took full advantage of many talented pros. I list them all on the copyright pages of my books, but the one I lean on the most is my editior, Dave Taylor at theditors.com.

4. How is your book going to inspire readers?

In my mind, the characters are ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Diego is NOT a rich, powerful, manipulative Alpha with a helicopter and a riding crop, nor is he a gorgeous, super-human vampire who sparkles in the sun. Nevertheless, his love for Isabel is a very powerful force in his life, and when required, he can do amazing things (like rescue her from a burning building or sacrifice his own life to save hers). Look around you, the world is full of ordinary, extraordinary people who step up and doing heroic things when given a chance.

5. What's the take-away from my books?

Don't take the one you love for granted. At any moment, he or she could be taken away from you, and time machines are pretty hard to come by. So go put your arms around someone you care about and just enjoy the moment. The journey IS the reward.

6. If you are given the chance to change one thing in your book what would it be?

I’ll let you know after I finish writing the last book in the series.

7.How do you find time to write and which part of the day is best for writing for you?

It’s a constant struggle to find time to write. Life keeps getting in the way of Isabel and Diego’s story no matter how much I plan otherwise. (But I think that’s how it’s supposed to be.)

8. Which books have inspired you the most, in the journey of writing this book?

When I was 6, Black Beauty changed my life. My grandmother read it to me, and I have loved books, horses, and seeing the world through other’s eyes ever since.

In 4th grade, my schoolteacher read A Wrinkle In Time to the class, and I fell hard for Charles Wallace and science fiction.

In middle school, I carried Richard Bach's Illusions around in my backpack and in my heart: "The world is your exercise book, the pages on which you do your sums. It is not reality, though you may express reality there if you wish. You are also free to write lies, or nonsense, or to tear the pages." I try not to tear the pages.

In college, Time Enough for Love and Childhood's End spoke to me (along with The Hite Report, lol).

Today, if someone asks what my favorite book is, the answer is likely the last book I read: It's a zombie story, and I NEVER read zombie books, but this one is so well done! The science in it is cool, and the women are kick-ass. It starts with this little girl locked up in a wheelchair...


9. What is the best advice, you would give for writers who are trying to write a book?
From Stephen King: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things, no shortcut.”

And the next best advice: "Don't shoot the dog." Unfortunately, I received that advice too late.

10. What are your hobbies?

Hobbies? Those are things that people who don’t write books have. ;-)
After you finish work (so you can pay your bills), do the shopping, make dinner, clean up the dog barf in the den, do a couple loads of laundry, load the dishwasher, help with homework, tuck the kids in bed, pour yourself a glass of wine and reintroduce yourself to your spouse, there’s not a lot of time left in a day. And if there is, then you write. (It took me ten years to write the first book!)

11. What can we expect from you in the future?


Love is the most powerful force known to mankind: It wrecks kings, breaks down impassible barriers, makes us risk everything for a few stolen moments together. Love is stronger than the instinct to eat, sleep, or survive. It motivates us to kill in cold blood, die to save another, and rail against impossible odds. It brings out the best and the worst in us.

Love (and the lack of it) makes for great stories, and I intend to keep following Isabel and Diego until they finally get it right.

 
About the Author:

USA BEST BOOK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR D. L. ORTON lives in the Rocky Mountains where she and her husband are raising three boys, a golden retriever, two Siberian cats, and an extremely long-lived Triops. In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.

Monday 25 July 2016

Book review of Corpokshetra

Book Blurb:

The Pandavas have returned home 13 years of exile. And they are demanding their stake Hastinapur Inc.

But the Kauravas, led by the haughty Duryodhana, aren’t ready to give them a penny. The battle lines are drawn, only this war is in the present Kurukshetra – the corporate boardroom.

As the Kauravass and the Pandavas do their sharpest suits, Krishna – the wily Consultant – strateegises for peace

This is a humorous morden take on the Mahabharata (with due apologies to the Rishi Ved Vyas).

An epic story retold for the MBA generation.

My Review:

The book has been well written on the epic Mahabharata, but on a comical note. But this time the battle isn’t fought on the frontiers of Kurukshetra but in the corporate world, where Hastinapur Enterprise is the single largest business unit in entire Bharat. All the characters are portrayed in the mythical way and you will chuckle at some instances.

The author has done a great job in bringing the mythological characters in the way that hasn’t been imagined by many. Great job!


Thursday 14 July 2016

21 Shades of Night Spotlight

21-shades-night

ORDER 21 Shades of Night NOW. 21 Bestselling PNR and Urban Fantasies for just **99c**


With one million words of romantic paranormal fiction, this boxed set will light up your night with sexy shifters, hot vampires, wickedly cool witches, gargoyles, and so much more —take your pick!

For a limited time, you can enjoy books from today's NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling authors!

When purchased separately, these books cost over $50! But they are yours today for less than $1.



This set is only available at this price for a limited time, so order your copy before it's gone forever!


✨ORDER NOW for Chance to win $100 + Also get 33 books for 99c


1. Order 21 Shades of Night between JULY 12 - 15

2.Send proof of purchase to 21Sgiveaway@gmail.com 

3.Receive additional free 12 paranormal romance and urban fantasies from these USA Today & Bestselling Authors 

4. All email entries entered into $100 draw 

5. $100 winner informed by email on July 20




Check out Awakened by Laxmi Hariharan. She is one of the authors of 21 SHADES OF NIGHT box set.

For a tiny 99c you can own 21 wicked novels from today's NY Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors.




Awakened by Laxmi Hariharan low resolution.jpg

About Awakened



 Ruby Iyer must save her city, save her friend, save her very soul from being destroyed and only sexy cop gone rogue Vik Roy can help her. Except Vik has a secret; one that will turn her world upside down. Can she still trust him? Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to be. Ruby knows something must be done, but it isn't until her best friend is kidnapped that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best friend, save her soul from total destruction. Armed only with Vik, a sexy cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from.



What they say:
"Laxmi's stories get you from the very first sentence and never let go" - Rebecca Hamilton, USA Today Bestselling Author
"...A novel that presents so much more than a singular, easy path." - D. Donovan, (Midwest Book Reviews)


Awards
Finalist, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
2015 Readers' Favorite
Finalist, 2015 IAN Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, 9th Annual Indie Excellence Awards


Excerpt
His tongue flicks out to touch his lips. Can he still taste blood?
His eyes flick to my lips, down to my throat, my breasts, lower, lower still. I'm close enough to see the golden flecks in his eyes shine. Smell that hard man smell of his which tugs at me. Heat from him spools towards me hitting me squarely in my chest, pulling at my stomach, churning my guts and I shudder.
His eyes widen, and as if unable to help himself, he lowers his mouth brushing my lips once, twice, thrice. Teasing me, nibbling at me, caressing my lips till I feel the heat inside twist and glow, till the lighting tree on my back sizzles, sparking fire.
I moan and reaching up capture his mouth with mine, thrusting my tongue against his; and feel the shock run through him.
He's still just for a second, then he's leaning into me, on me till I am surrounded by him, his touch, his skin, that cinnamon smell of his, which is so Vik. Heat from his body pushes at me, begging to be let in, holding me captive and I feel a trickle of sweat running down between my breasts. Breath coming out in short bursts, I strain against him, trying to free my shackled arms, but he doesn't let go. He also doesn't stop there.
His mouth lowers to my throat, pushing aside the bathrobe till he bares the curve of my shoulder, then bites me, lightly.
My heart slams against my rib cage at that, my eyes flutter shut and I bite my lips to stop myself from crying out. At the pain trembling down to my belly.
He kisses the skin, licking his tongue over the exact same spot and this time I shiver, but he's already trailing his lips down to my breasts. His hand grips the flare of my lips and this time, I moan aloud as his fingers splay out over my belly.
And it's as if the sound gets through to him, for he's suddenly leaning back.
My eyes fly open and I look up at his face, want to trace his lips, run my fingers through his hair and once again I arch my back, push against him and this time he lets me go.
Even as I watch a shutter comes down over his eyes and they lose that bright glow I'd seen there just a second ago.
I know then, he's going to leave and walk away and I can't let him go.
Not now, not when I can tell he's feeling something for me.
When my insides are churning as if this is the only thing that matters. When the emotions overwhelming me wipe out all that has happened before this, making me feel clean. When I don't care who he is, or where he comes from or what his real relation is to Dr B. When something inside me senses that deep at his core, where it matters, he is honest at least as far as whatever 'this' between us is concerned.
I want him.
And I want to make him want me.
Make him show me how much he wants me.

About Laxmi Hariharan

I am fascinated by the unseen in the real world and in relationships. I write fast-paced urban fantasy romances, with a paranormal twist. My stories feature intense love-interests, kickass heroines, moody heroes and surprise plot lines. I enjoy nothing better than getting under the skin of my characters and especially when they surprise me. Married to a filmmaker and fellow author, I live in London and am the proud owner of a mononym twitter handle @laxmi. Receive a free starter library of my books when you sign up to my newsletter http://bit.ly/NewsletterLH



FacebookTwitterInstagramWebsiteNewsletter 


21 Shades of Night
Limited Edition. Sale Ends Soon!
With one million words of romantic paranormal fiction, this boxed set will light up your night with sexy shifters, hot vampires, wickedly cool witches, gargoyles, and so much more —take your pick!
For a limited time, you can enjoy books from today's NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling authors!
When purchased separately, these books cost over $50! But they are yours today for less than $1.
This set is only available at this price for a limited time, so order your copy before it's gone forever!

The Hottest Titles from Today's Bestselling Authors!
ORDER NOW

Amazon * Nook * Apple * Kobo


ST Banner

FB ACR Team Banner


This Feature is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours

Monday 11 July 2016

In conversation with Lynn Steward

About the book

As a fashion buyer at one of New York’s most glamorous department stores, Dana McGarry is a tastemaker, her keen instinct for fashion trends and innovative ideas coupled with a razor sharp business sense. But like the elegant and conservative store that employs her, Dana is caught between two eras—between being liked and standing her ground, between playing by the rules and being a maverick. Dana is sensitive and beautiful, but what you see is not what you get. Behind the cool and attractive facade, Dana is both driven by her need to control yet impeded by her expectation of perfectionism. As she competes to replace women at the top of their game, she is challenged by jealous colleagues. And when a wealthy love interest wants to open doors and support her ambition, she embraces Coco Chanel’s mantra of “never wanting to weigh more heavily on a man than a bird.” As the women’s movement paves the way, Dana finds a path to the career she wants at the expense of happiness that was not meant to be.

Steward captures the nuances of 70s life in New York City and provides the perfect backdrop for an independent woman determined to make her mark. What Might Have Been is a story that transcends any period.

TitleWhat Might Have Been
Genre:  Literary fiction/women’s fiction
Author: Lynn Steward
Website: www.LynnSteward.com 

About the Author
 
Lynn Steward, a veteran of the New York fashion industry and a buyer on the team that started the women’s department at Brooks Brothers, created the Dana McGarry series, set at a transformational time in the 1970s world of fashion and in the lives of multigenerational women. What Might Have Been is the second volume in the series. A Very Good Life, Steward’s debut novel, was published in March 2014.
LynnSteward.com
Pinterest.com/LynnStewardny
Facebook.com/LynnStewardnyc
Twitter: @LynnStewardNY

Author Interview

1. What inspired you to write the book?

I always enjoyed business-related writing and thought a non-fiction self-help book, with life-lessons I learned along the way, would be a fun project.  But, as often happens when you sit at the keyboard, a story starting writing itself!  I developed a TV pilot about New York in the seventies because, as they say “Write what you know” and I know New York. I’m a native of Long Island, and between attending school and working, I spent twenty-two years in Manhattan. I was so overwhelmed with ideas, the TV series expanded to five seasons! 

2. When did you realise that you want to write a book?

After meeting with professionals in the entertainment industry, I realized that the main character, Dana McGarry, needed more drama and the plots had to be developed, and I felt the best way to do that was to write a novel for each season

3. Who helped you in writing the book and please say about their contributions?

I worked with a developmental editor who advised me to trim the story for the page. The TV series had more too many characters for a novel. She also was a tremendous help with the pace and timing.

4. How is your book going to inspire the readers?

I am delighted that the novels are appealing to a multigenerational audience. Young readers relate to Dana’s challenge of balancing work and a personal life and seniors enjoy bringing their own memories to the story. The themes are universal and transcend any period.

5. If you are given the chance to change one thing in your book what would it be?

I would fictionalize two of the characters in A Very Good Life vol. 1. in order to weave them into the story, rather than keep them in their real-life roles.

6. How do you find time to write and which part of the day is best for writing for you?

My favourite and most productive writing time in early in the morning. Ideally, I like to be at my desk between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

7. Which books have inspired you the most, in the journey of writing this book?

Many biographies of legendary women and men of that period. Diana Vreeland, Grace Mirabella, Ira Neimark, Crossing Fifth Avenue,  Jackie as Editor, Rosamond Bernier Some of my Lives.


8. What is the best advice, you would give for writers who are trying to write a book?

We’ve heard it time and again, but it’s true: Write what you know and love. Start a scrap book of visuals pertaining to your idea and keep the pictures in front of you as you write. Don’t necessarily write in chronological order, and don’t worry about grammar and style, that’s why we have editors! At some point, the story will gel. Most important, be prepared to ask for help along the way. Many editors and professional writers can be paid on a work for hire basis, depending on your specific needs. Have a team of professionals, including an attorney if you are writing a period piece and want to include real events and people.

9. What are your hobbies?

I’m an in-door gal, so if I’m not at my computer working on a writing project, I’m in the kitchen planning a dinner party, in a cozy chair reading, or redecorating a room.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?


I am currently pitching The Dana McGarry Series for TV, so I hope the future finds Dana and her friends on a big screen!

Sunday 10 July 2016

Book Review of 6 Degrees- Game of Blogs


Book Blurb:

The Game Of Blogs activity got bloggers acquainted with 5 very different and intriguing characters and they had to weave stories around them, and add some of their own characters. This ‘method to madness’ is what gave rise to myriad stories, all revolving around Shekhar, Tara, Roohi, Cyrus and Jennifer and their intertwining lives. The book also owes its name 6 Degrees to this interwoven nature of the story and the fact that bloggers all over India had to connect with each other to build this story. Read the journey of Game of Blogs here.

About the Author

The 3 best stories of the lot from the teams Team ByLines, Team Potliwale Baba and Team Tete-e-ten have been compiled into the book 6 Degrees, and we’re sure you’ll reviewing the book, because where else will you get to read 3 different stories with the same characters in one book?


My Review:

The Awakening:

In this part of the story the lives of the characters will change once they encounter strangers in their lives. And the responsibility they have to take to protect the earth from an invasion. I love Sci- Fi stories and this story has the intensity that it needs for a perfect ending and the mystery that surrounds makes the story interesting and you will be in awe about the turn around of events. It is a must read for all Sci-Fi lovers.

Entangled Lives:

The lives of the characters change now from the world of aliens to the lives of a common man, where the maid is murdered. But how and why is the question that the police and the investigators have to search for which keeps them in the hunt of the murderer without any direct evidence. How inspector Java solves the case is interesting. Keep looking for the clues.

Missing- A Journey Within:

Missing is a journey of awakening and a story where the characters unearth many mysteries and learn a lot about their lives with twists and turns. It is an ultimate turn around of events and lives of many.

The three stories are entangled and the characters do well to justify the story line. Six degrees- Game of Blogs is a must read book and you will find yourself completely immersed in the story.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!
badge